Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Los Cabos

Las Ventanas was created to blend into the local flora and exudes a sense of harmony within its desert surroundings. Nestled into the natural contours of the terrain, the terra-cotta resort was built by hand, and the finish work was done by Mexican artisans whose hand-crafted décor –bed headboards, cedar doors, conchuela stone floors – imbues Las Ventanas with distinctive style. The inlaid-pebble walkways use stones from local riverbeds, the latilla ceilings are made with woods from mainland Mexico, and the palapas are local palm thatches. The resort also implements xeriscaping – landscaping that uses indigenous plants with hydration requirements appropriate to the natural climate. The low water-usage vegetation also taps an irrigation system that prevents runoff. Other nature-friendly features abound at Las Ventanas:

° After opening in 1997, the truly breathtaking resort established a Sea Turtle Protection Program, so each day from July through November, beach attendants monitor the arrival of mother turtles, put up markers, and rope off areas to guard the nests from both sea birds and curious humans.

° Las Ventanas’s Spa is housed in serene dwellings with eight treatment rooms that open onto private gardens with succulents and flowering indigenous bushes. In the outdoor solarium, therapists play crystal bowls with soul-healing vibrations.

° The spa offers holistic treatments derived from the natural environment of the Baja Peninsula. The Nopal Detox Wrap, for example, uses paddles from native Nopal cacti. The spa also features local sage, cinnamon, and cedar wood.

° The Spa’s natural product lines are Epicuren and Yon-Ka, and organic coconut oil is the only oil utilized for massage.

° The outdoor herb garden is 100 percent organic, and includes a cooking center where classes are held. Indigenous, year-round herb plantings include rosemary, mugwort, and Mexican basil.

° The resort staff works exclusively with local growers to ensure that Las Ventanas has a dependable supply of the freshest organic produce. Seafood is purchased from fishermen who catch it daily from the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Mexican cheeses, olive oils, and other products come from the best regional producers, furthering the resort’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients.

° At the Sea Grill, the menu is cooked in a brick-and-clay oven and on special grills using different local woods. Based on the flavors imbued by the earthy timber and fresh-picked garden herbs, the food is simple, gorgeous, and delicious…much like the resort itself. www.lasventanas.com

Nicole Dorsey, M.S. is a travel and wellness expert who earned a Master’s Degree in the health sciences while writing and editing for industry giants, such as The New York Times, Fitness Magazine and Aol.com. Her true passion is adventure travel and her spa reporting has taken her all over the world.